12 Cleveland Mardi Gras celebrations that go all out (photos)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Party like there’s no tomorrow. Or, more accurately, like you know you won’t be able to party tomorrow.

For centuries, that has been the charm and allure of Mardi Gras: that last great chance to indulge before the beginning of Lent.

French for “fat Tuesday,” Mardi Gras caps the carnival season by honoring the gluttonous – where fat oxen are paraded through towns and villages in France and the fattest man in town is proclaimed the King of Carnival in Brazil.

In these more secular times, it’s – let’s face it – a chance to live up to the Hedonist’s Way… Indeed, too much of a good thing is just enough for me.

Lucky you, there are all sorts of opportunities to indulge. Raise a glass and a barrel of laughs, and then four more of each, to these soirees…

Text and photos (unless noted) by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

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John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

BEADS, BOOZE & ART AT WALKABOUT TREMONT

Is this Tremont or the French Quarter? Roll out “Beads, Booze & Art” – the theme for this month’s Walkabout Tremont. The event, held the second Friday of every month, brings together the bars, restaurants, galleries and boutiques for a party. This Big Easy-type celebration features beads, music, drinks and food – not to mention a “Mardi Grass Passport” that allows you to win prizes and gifts. The event runs 5-10 p.m. Friday, but the party will continue until the bars close. Go to walkabouttremont.com.

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John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND KURENTOVANJE FESTIVAL

Call it Slovenian Mardi Gras… A pre-Lent fest featuring a parade, Slovenian food and drink, cultural performances and, yes, those fuzzy Kurents – mythical Slovenian monsters that scare winter away. It starts noon Saturday in the area around East 55th Street and St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland. Go to clevelandkurentovanje.com. (Photo by Laura DeMarco, The Plain Dealer)

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John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

MARDI GRAS CRAWL AT FLATS EAST BANK

Egads, is that Lake Ponchartrain? Nope, and that road isn’t Bourbon Street, either. But you might think so after four or five hurricanes while partying at this soiree. At noon Saturday, the Mardi Gras Crawl will bring music, beads, booze and masks to the Flats East Bank. The $10 “passport” gets you into a dozen bars and eateries in the area and access to masks, beads, food and drink specials. Most joints in the area will roll out menus and music for the event. Go to facebook.com/FlatsEastBank

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John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

A TASTE OF NEW ORLEANS AT BOURBON STREET BARRELROOM

Some joints roll out Hurricanes for the day. This ode to The Big Easy goes all out, all year. Check out the 30 classic NOLA cocktails and a wide range of Creole and Cajun favorites. (Excuse me, bartender, I’ll take that Pimm’s Cup and Sazerac) BSBR is going over the top come Tuesday. It will start early, at 11 a.m., with a real-deal display of Louisiana gluttony… a Crawfish Eating Contest. The bash also rolls out deals on Abita, a Mardi Gras king cake, live music, a crawfish boil, 10,000 beads, masks, hats. Delgado’s Blues Band performs 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Check out that cocktail list. Go to bourbonstreetbarrelroom.com or call 216-298-4400.